1
as in to activate
to cause to function
a light actuated by a motion detector the alarm system actuates the door locks
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to move
to set or keep in motion
hearing depends on sound vibrations that actuate the complex mechanism of that sensory organ, the ear
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of actuate
And a story was planted that Nazi Germany actuated the Katyn Massacre in 1940.
—
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2024
The cascading dominoes can also be lightweight, flexible, and actuated by a variety of soft actuators (for example, shape memory alloys, inflatable actuators, bending actuators, etc.), whereas conveyor systems are operated by electric motors.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Mar. 2023
When in alarm mode, the slide must be actuated again to wind the alarm, changing the bell from red to white.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 10 Nov. 2023
Other teams favored a physical interface, strapping the operator into hardware (almost like a robotic exoskeleton) that could read their motions and then actuate the limbs of the avatar robot to match, while simultaneously providing force feedback.
—IEEE Spectrum, 16 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for actuate
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2024
The cascading dominoes can also be lightweight, flexible, and actuated by a variety of soft actuators (for example, shape memory alloys, inflatable actuators, bending actuators, etc.), whereas conveyor systems are operated by electric motors.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Mar. 2023
When in alarm mode, the slide must be actuated again to wind the alarm, changing the bell from red to white.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 10 Nov. 2023
Other teams favored a physical interface, strapping the operator into hardware (almost like a robotic exoskeleton) that could read their motions and then actuate the limbs of the avatar robot to match, while simultaneously providing force feedback.
—IEEE Spectrum, 16 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for actuate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actuate
Verb
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Both labor-intensive and time-consuming, the tool required food professionals and at-home cooks to literally rotate its handle to activate the accompanying beater(s).—
Joey Skladany,
Southern Living,
24 May 2025
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Breathing in and sighing out slowly for longer than your in breath with an open mouth can activate the vagus nerve, a crucial component of the parasympathetic nervous system.—
Paul McClure
May 24,
New Atlas,
24 May 2025
Verb
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If the execution moves forward this time, Smith will be the first inmate executed in Tennessee since 2020 and the 19th in the U.S. this year.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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Enterprise software stacks tend to move, blend, shift and drift over time as software developers and data scientists skew them one way or another depending on the need for new applications, the use of different toolsets and the adoption of different development methodologies.—
Adrian Bridgwater,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Verb
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The question is what might be triggering the response in some patients but not others.—
Kristen Jordan Shamus,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
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That assertive spark seems triggered partly by a quiet conversation with fellow sub Kevin (Scissor Sisters lead singer Jake Shears), who has his aging dom’s name, Steve, tattooed on his ass.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2025
Verb
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About 150 students and 50 adults were evacuated from an elementary school in Maryland after hours of heavy rains driven by an atmospheric river caused major flooding in multiple eastern states.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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The hedge fund founder is betting on a global deficit of methanol to increase over the next three years, requiring the U.S. to increase production and drive higher methanol prices.—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
14 May 2025
Verb
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The situation sparked some debate about whether Ulbrich, in his second stint with Atlanta, would be dismissed from his job.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2025
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Her disappearance sparked a weeks-long search that concluded on Thanksgiving Day that year, when a passing motorist spotted Papini alongside the highway — partially bound, injured and with a brand on her shoulder.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2025
Verb
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In his efforts to propel Trump to victory, Musk spent around $300 million while also stumping at rallies and online for his preferred candidate.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
14 May 2025
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Each is designed to propel the ball a certain distance at a particular loft angle and height.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
13 May 2025
Verb
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The United Arab Emirates is planning to power all public and private services in the city of Abu Dhabi through a single artificial intelligence platform by 2027 with a $2.5 billion investment, according to the Khaleej Times.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
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The Oilers powered past the Kings in part on the strength of their depth, mostly using a full bench throughout their 11 playoff games.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Verb
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These are questions Li rarely directly poses but which the reader is inevitably impelled to ask.—
Daphne Merkin,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
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Powerful domestic pressures impel and constrain both countries’ foreign policy choices.—
Lee Hsien Loong,
Foreign Affairs,
4 June 2020
Cite this Entry
“Actuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actuate. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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